Please share your stories--tough first time in real bike shoes

[Seajay]

Great responses. Espec Velovix.

Here's what we say at our shop...
We don't think falling is a prerequisite to learning clip in pedals. We discourage falling.
It's all about muscle memory. You need to make it automatic to keep your heel down as you twist.

New Bike. Get used to the bike for a week or so first then tackle shoes/pedals
New pedals and shoes. Some pedals come out of the box with the release setting tight. Have someone check that it's loose.
Park your bike next to the couch for an evening of TV, click in and out a bunch. Get used to the motion.
Go to the park and ride in the grass. Clip in and out a bunch more. Stop, start, try little inclines, declines, either foot, etc until you feel confident.
Next is a quiet road same drill.
You should be good to go after that.

Greyhound. The pedal you're thinking of is Speedplay. Their ROAD pedal. They have a light action release version which works well. I wouldn't try to claim that Speedplay road are necessarily easier to get out of than anything else. I think it's a personal thing. IMO Looks are easiest. But again, just an opinion.